Detroit - Many parents are in denial that their children are obese, according to a new study.
Researchers from the University of Michigan found that 43 percent of parents with obese or overweight children may be in denial about their weight.
Out of over 2,000 adults surveyed, 56% of parents with children 12-17 said their kids were only “slightly” overweight. By comparison, only 13 percent of parents with obese kids ages 6 to 11 recognize them as being obese or overweight.
“When we first started talking about obesity as a problem, it was very hard to be heard,” says Dr Ian Campbell, medical director of the charity Weight Concern.
“Now the pendulum has swung too far the other way - we hear nothing but. And the net result is that the kind of moralising the obese and overweight have always suffered has somehow become institutionalised.”
Obesity in children is often linked to medical conditions including diabetes, cholesterol problems, high blood pressure and other serious issues.
Researchers say that in about half of the household with an obese child, at least one of the parents are also obese.
Toronto -There was no smoke alarm on the main floor of a North York townhouse where a woman and two of her children died in a fire early Saturday. That from Jim Fisher with the Ontario Fire Marshal’s office, who says there was an alarm on the second floor, but it’s not known if it was working.
Toronto Community Housing tells CFRB News that the fire alarms were all in working order when they were last inspected in February of this year. Sadly, the unit was due for another inspection next month.
Fisher says Toronto Fire checked a number of units in the townhouse complex and found as many as eight that either had no smoke alarm or it wasn’t working. They have all since been fixed.
The cause of the fire has not yet been determined and may never be known because the townhouse was so severely damaged.
Three other children escaped the burning home and were found outside by firefighters when they first arrived on the scene. They were taken to hospital with minor burns and smoke inhalation and have since been released into the custody of relatives.
Los Angeles - The network that airs Jamie-Lynn Spears’ popular tween TV show Zoey 101 is considering broadcasting a special on teen sex, according to media reports Monday.
Nickelodeon issued a statement supporting the 16-year-old’s decision to “take responsibility” for her situation.”
A spokesperson for Nickelodeon stressed that they are “trying to figure out what is the best thing to do for kids”.
Last week, the younger Spears announced that she is three months pregnant and plans to keep the baby.
Los Angeles Actress - Michelle Rodriguez began a 180-day jail term in an LA jail on Sunday, two days before Christmas. The former “Lost” star was sentenced by a judge in October for violating her probation on previous drunken-driving and hit-and-run offenses, and he clearly specified that she can not be granted work furlough, early release or home confinement.
The reason for the long sentence is that Rodriguez admitted failing to complete community service obligations.
She was also found to have consumed alcohol on at least three occasions while wearing a monitoring bracelet around her ankle, in violation of a probation requirement that she refrain from drinking for 90 days.
The actress must serve the full stretch in the overcrowded jail, where sentences for minor crimes are often cut short. In November, Lindsay Lohan served 84 minutes of a 1-day sentence, while Nicole Richie was released 80 minutes into her 4-day term in August.
London, Ontario -A new trailer for the highly anticipated Batman: The Dark Knight hit the web this week.
The new Batman movie is scheduled to be released in July 2008
The latest trailer which was first shown during the new Will Smith movie “I Am Legend” has now ended up online.
The new trailer features tons of treats for Batman fans including some a glimpse at some new Batman vehicles.
Perhaps what has fans most excited about the new trailer is Heath ledger as the Joker.
Initial response to the trailer is extremely positive - with many boogers agreeing that “The Dark Knight” may be the best Batman movie yet.
Toronto - Twelve years after Dudley George was shot and killed during a native occupation over sacred land at Ipperwash provincial park, the province is turing over control of the park to first nations people.
The McGuinty government is returning Ipperwash Provincial Park lands to the Chippewas of Kettle and Stony Point First Nation,
Sam George’s brother Dudley was killed by an OPP officer at the park in 1995.
“By returning these 109 acres, by keeping a treaty promise and by honouring the memory of my brother Dudley, we are respecting each other. It shows that we can be friends.”
Aboriginal affairs minister Michael Bryant says by acting on the Ipperwash inquiry recommendations the McGuinty government is trying to forge a stronger more positive relationship with all of its aboriginal peoples.
Los Angeles - It’s been another crazy week for the Spears family.
Ok! Magazine was the first to report that Britney Spears’ little sister Jamie Lynn, is three months pregnant.
Soon after the shock that a 16-year-old girl could be pregnant, several reports emerged claiming that her boyfriend may be charged with statutory rape.
Initial reports suggested that Casey Albridge was 19-years-old, however according to DMV records, Albridge is only 18 years old.
The daddy-to-be was born on April 29th, 1989.
Jamie Lynn was born on April 4th, 1991. That puts her at just under two years younger than him.
Los Angeles - Is actress Jamie Lynn Spears really pregnant at 16? People has confirmed that Britney Spears’ little sister Jamie Lynn Spears is only 16 and in fact already pregnant with her first baby.
Jamie Lynn is already 3 months along and the unlucky father is her boyfriend Casey Aldridge. OK! magazine is reporting that Jamie Lynn and her mother spoke exclusively to the tabloid about the pregnancy. According to People, the folks over at Nickelodeon confirmed the news today.
Did Jamie Lynn learn nothing from her trainwreck sister about the importance of birth control? What about the fact that she’s a minor and her boyfriend is 19 years old? My oh my, the Spears sisters need some serious guidance!
Los Angeles - CelebTV.com is reporting that Pamela Anderson and her husband of 2 months, Rick Soloman, are filing for divorce.
The reason stated on the divorce papers is “irreconcilable differences.”
This is the second time in two years, the former Bay Watch star has married only to divorce a few months later.
Anderson 40, has been married twice before. Fellow rockers Tommy Lee and Kid Rock have both wed the Canadian entertainer.
Solomon is probably most known as the guy who made a sex tape with Paris Hilton. He was also married to “90210″ star Shannen Doherty.
Los Angeles - Jessica Simpson was at the Dallas Cowboys game on Sunday.
The 25-year-old singer and actor was there to support new boyfriend and Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo.
Simpson wore his Jersey and the camera panned to her numerous times.
However Jessica wasn’t exactly a good luck charm as Tony threw 3 interceptions, hurt his thumb, and ended with a 22.2 quarterback rating on way to a 10-6 loss to an inferior Philadelphia team.
Jessica Simpson isn’t the only singer the football star has been linked too. Prior to dating Jessica, Tony was dating American Idol Winner Carrie Underwood.